verb
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to inform; tell
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to draw attention to; make known; announce
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of notify
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English notifien, from Middle French notifier, from Latin nōtificāre, from (g)nōt(us), past participle of (g)nōscere “to come to know” ( see also know 1) + -ificāre -ify
Explanation
To notify is to officially give someone a piece of information. If your poem wins the local poetry competition, the judges will notify you that you're the winner. When you notify someone about something, it can be good or bad news. New parents notify friends and family about their baby's birth. When a library's money problems force it to close on Sundays, it might notify its patrons with an email or a letter. Notify comes from the Latin notificare, "to make known," which stems from notus, "known," and facere, "make or do."
Vocabulary lists containing notify
Selection Vocabulary 2, Unit 5
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Louisiana’s Way Home
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The FBI began an initiative called Operation Level Up in January 2024 to identify and notify victims of cryptocurrency investment fraud.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026
Those with symptoms should notify their healthcare facility before visiting, officials said.
From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2026
TikTok said it will gradually notify UK users about its own version, TikTok Ad-Free, in pop-up notifications over the next few months.
From BBC • May 11, 2026
The South African authorities had asked the airline to notify the passengers that they must contact the health department, a representative, Karin Murray, told AFP.
From Barron's • May 5, 2026
I must remember to inform labs that have received animal shipments from us to notify the C.D.C. if any unusual animal deaths occur.
From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
